Method of and apparatus for applying closures to containers



May 26, 1936. H. F. GLUNZ' 2,042,304

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO CONTAINERS Filed 0m.25, 1953 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I'lE- I w R. as

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IVNTOR P J HENRY F GLUNZ BY .4 A ORNEYS y 1 H. F. GLUNZ 2,042,304

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO CONTAINERS Filed 001;.25, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HENRY F. GLUNZ M I A ORNEYS H, F.GLUNZ May 26, 1936.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO CONTAINERS 5Sheets-Shet 3 Filed Oct. 25, 1933 INVENTOR HENRY F. GLUNZ Patented May26, 1936 PATENT oFFioE' METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLY- ING CLOSURESTO CONTAINERS Henry F. Glunz, Saratoga Springs, N. Y., assignor ofone-half to Robert McMullen, New York,:

Application October 23, 1933, Serial No. 694,708

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in methods of and apparatus forapplying caps or closures to containers.

The object of the invention is to provide a method ofand apparatus forapplying closures, such as sealing caps, to containers of various sorts,such as bottles for example, which is simple in operation and structure,easily carried out and operated, and eflicient in effecting theapplication of the sealing cap or closure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of andapparatus for applying closures to containers, more particularlyclosures formed from cellulose acetate, Cellophane, coated materials,such as waxed and parailined paper and paper coated with celluloseacetate, and similar materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatusof the nature referred to wherein the sealing cap or closure, whilebeing applied to a container, is drawn tightly and smoothly over theopen end of the container to which the same is to be appliedandmaintained in tight application to the container after the applicationis completed. 1

A further object of vthe invention is to provide a method and apparatusof the nature referred to wherein the expansive force of the elasticgaseous medium is utilized in effecting the application of thesealingcap to a container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatusof the nature referred to wherein wear and tear from friction ineffecting the application of the sealing cap to a container is reducedto a minimum.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the steps, modes of operation,combination of elements, and details of arrangement of parts, all aswill be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanyingdrawings, and flnally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings l1 have shown an illustrative structure andapparatus embodying the principles of my invention and the manner ofoperating the same, in carrying out my new and improved method andwherein- Figure 1 is a broken view irr vertical section of an apparatusadapted for carrying out my invention showing the container in the formof a bottle in position for application thereto or to the open endthereof of a sealing cap or cover; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing theparts of the apparatus after the container has been partially liftedinto position for its openend to contact with the material constitutingthe seal or cap;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the parts in their respective positionsafter the container has been extended further into the sealing capapplying devices;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts in their relativepositions after the container has been advanced to its limit and beforethe completion of the application of the sealing cap;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the parts in their respectivepositions after the application of the sealing pressure to the partiallyapplied cap;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 showing the parts in theirrelative positions after the cap applying andsealing devices havecompleted their work and the container, with the cap applied thereto, isready to be discharged from the apparatus; p

Fig. 7 is a broken detail view showing a transparent sealing capapplied'to the open mouth of the bottle;

Fig. 8 is a broken detail view in section illustrating a method ofstamping out the sealing caps which are to be applied to the containers;

Fig. 9 is a broken ,view in section on the line 99 of Fig. 3 looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a similar view on the 1ine |0I0 of Fig. 5 looking in thedirection of the arrows; and

Fig. 11 is a similar view on the line llll of Fig. 7 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

The same. part is designated by the same reference numeral wherever itoccurs throughout the several views.

The application of airtight and liquid tight caps or closures tocontainers, such as bottles or the like, has become an important andessential element in the packaging and sealing of various commodities.In order to be efiective a cap or closure must be applied to thecontainer so as to form an airtight or liquid tight seal, while at thesame time the closure should be of such nature as to, permit of itsbeing readily ruptured or removed when access is desired to the contentsof the container.

It is another of the desirable features of such closures in manyinstances that the same shall be transparent so as to enable thecontents of the container to be examined.

Another characteristic is that the sealing closure be so applied that itcannot be readily or easily slipped off from the neck, for example, of abottle to which it has been applied. Ordinarily a bottle neck is formedwith a rounded shoulder at its mouth or open end which affords anexcellent anchorage for a sealing closure or cap, but to enable therounded or enlarged bottle neck to serve that purpose emciently it isessential that the cap be so applied that it will engage over, around,and underneath the overhanging portion of the enlarged rim and will beretained in such engaging relation.

Another essential feature is that the blank cover or cap, in itsapplication to a container, such as the open end of a bottle, be made toconform to the exterior curvature of the bottle neck at the point ofapplication of the cap without danger of injury to the cap and withoutleaving any unnecessary looseness in that portion of the cap which spansthe open end of the bottle.

It is among the special purposes of my present invention to provide amethod of application of a sealing closure or cap which will securethese and other various advantages, and to provide a simple andeffective form of apparatus capable of carrying out such method.

In accordance with my invention I propose to support a sealing cap blankin position over the end surface of a bottle neck, for example, toimpinge centrally thereagainst, and then to relatively displace thebottle and cap suspension while the cap is retained in' contactingrelation with the end surface of the bottle neck so as to form the disc,which is to constitute the sealing cap, into more or less cup shapeinverted over the open end of the bottle while the parts are maintainedin this relation with the central part of the cap held pressed againstthe end surface of the bottle neck and its rim portion bent into more orless enveloping relation with respect to the bottle neck; then to applya flexible pressure to the enveloping portionof the cap so as to pressthe same into conformation with the shape and contour of the bottle neckand around and beneath the enlarged end portion of the bottle.

I have found that this operation of conforming the blank cap material tocup shape and to the conformation of the bottle neck can be accomplishedefficiently, expeditiously, and satisfactorily by means of a resilientpressure applied to the exterior of the enveloping portion of the capmaterial. I have also found that it is advantageous, particularly whereoperating with cap material made of cellulose acetate or Cello phane, toheat the cap material so as to soften the same and permit the cap to beformed or pressed into close hugging relation around the bottle neckwithout danger of cracking or otherwise injurying the cap material. Itherefore prefer to employ hot air or steam as a resilient medium foreffecting the application of the cap to the bottle neck. I have alsofound that the best results are attained when the pressure the appliedblank into a cup in inverted relation over the end of the bottle,without displacing the contact of the end surface of the bottle with thecap material, and then applying a drawing friction to the skirt portionsof the preliminarily applied cup shaped cap in a direction lengthwise ofthe bottle, not only is the cap material drawn and maintained tightacross the open end of the bottle, but the skirt portions of the cap aresumciently crimped and folded into uniform relation.

with respect to the bottle neck which it encloses and in conformity withthe shape thereof.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a simple form of apparatuswhich is suitable for carrying out my invention and in which I2 is abottle neck. to the open end of which a sealing cap is to be applied. Ifdesired, the sealing cap indicated at I! (see Fig. 8) may be stamped outin the form of a circular disc from a sheet I of suitable material, suchfor example as cellulose acetate or regenerated cellulose (Cellophane).This stamped out disc is supported at its edges in position upon aninner ledge It by a suitable supporting ring II.

As indicated in the drawings, the bottle neck is supported in positionfor its open end to present towards the central portion of the cap blankl3, and in opposed relation to a central cup l1 carried by a rod I8. Therod I 8 works loosely in a sleeve l9 which may be actuated in anysuitable manner in proper timed relation.

A spring 20 serves to permit the tubular member 11 to yield against theaction of said spring for movement lengthwise with respect to the sleeveIS. The closed endof the sleeve member i1 cooperates with the endsurface of the bottle neck to constitute, in effect, a clamp to clampthe cap blank I! between them, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2. With theparts in these respective relations a relative endwise movement isimparted to the bottle neck and sleeve is so as to permit the bottleneck to protrude farther and farther into the surrounding ring member 2I;

A ring 22 of resflient or flexible material, such for example as rubber,is mounted within the ring member 2i with its upper and lower edgesrigidly anchored in the ring member 2|. The flexible ring 22 shouldnormally be of a diameter slightly smaller than that of the bottle neckand it should be, when clamped in position in the ring member 2|,slightly wider than the inner surface of the ring member 2| so as toform a space 22 therebetween. Communicating with the space 23 is apressure supply pipe 24 and an exhaust or vacuum pipe 2!. The exhaustpipe 25 is con+ trolled by a valve 28, while the supply pipe 24 iscontrolled by a three-way valve 21. valve 26 when moved into oneposition opens the pipe 25 and the space 22 to exhaust to a vacuumsource. This is the position as illustrated in Fig. 6.

In another position the exhaust valve 26 shuts ofl from exhaust the pipe25 and space 23. This is the position shown in Figs. 4' and 5. Thepressure supply valve 21 when occupying one posi-, tion opens thepressure supply 24 to the space 22, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Inanother position the valve 21 opens the space 23 to exhaust to theatmosphere through pipe 28 to which reference will be made hereinafter.This position of the valve 21 is shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

I have indicated the mechanical connections 29, 30 for operating thepressure supply control valve 21 and similar connections SI. 22 forcontrolling the operation of the exhaust control valve 26. The actuationof the valve operated devices is effected automatically and in propertimed relation with respect to the positioning of the bot tle and thecap blank for application of the sealing cap to the bottle. Likewise themember. H which serves to clamp the cap blank to the. end of the bottleis caused to shift endwise the raising of the bottle against the tensionof the spring 20 and in the opposite direction by suitable connections33, 34 (see Fig. 1) so as to enable the operation of this feature of theapparatus to be effected in proper timed relation.

I have referred to the fact that when the bottle neck is moved into thehead or ring 2| that portion of the cap blank which does not cover theend surface of the bottle is bent downwardly over the bottle end, asclearly indicated in Fig. 3, thus forming the cap material into more orless cup shape which is inverted over the end of the bottle. Thedepending portion 35 of the cap blank when thus folded downwardlybecomes more or less gathered or shirred or, in other words, is formedinto plaits, laps, or folds, inasmuch as it occupies a smaller spacethan the blank initially occupied before being formed into cup shape.

I have found it advantageous to provide means to prevent the shirring orfolding action from injuring or cracking the cap blank material whilebeing formed into the laps or folds referred to. To accomplish thisresult I provide a head or ring member 2| with a plate or ring 36 whichis apand moved in movable ring plied to the open end of said head 2|.This ring member 36 on its inner edge is formed with a series of radialfingers 31 which are'separated apart from each other by radial spaces 38(see particularly Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 9). When the cap blank is clampedbetween the open end of the bottle and the member l1, and the bottle israised so as to enter the bore of the head member 2| the fingers 31serve to form creases in the cap material, while the open spaces 38receive the portions of the cup material which are to be lapped orfolded together or upon each other.

Thus, preliminarily, the cap material is not only formed into cup shapebut the surplus of the skirt portion of the cup is directed into laps orfolds of uniform character. As the bottle advances further into the boreof the head-ring 2!, the inclined surface 39 will engage the foldedportions of the cup skirt and press the same into folded position, asclearly indicated in Figs. 7 and 11. The surface 39 also guides thebottle into the head 2|, if the bottle is not in perfect alignment.

I have found that it is advantageous'to heat the cap blank material to agreater or less degree while the bottle is rising in the head 2 l Thisnot only serves to prevent cracking and injuring of the cap but alsofacilitates the lapping and fold ing of the fullness of the skirtportionof the cap. After a-bottle has been removed, the rubber ring 22 retainssufficient heat to heat the cap for the next bottle to a sufficientdegree while the bottle is being raised.

In operation, a cap blank I3 is cut or stamped from a strip of materialI, as shown in Fig. 8, l into position under the head 2|. This may beaccomplished in the manner" shown in my copending application Serial No.675,557, filed June 13, 1933, or in any other suitable manner. I

The cap blank 13 is supported in the ring member l5 with its edgesresting upon the shoulder ii of the ring member. The bottle is thenbrought into position under the cap to be applied to its end. The vacuumvalve 25 is closed and pressure valve 21 is positioned to cut off thepressure supply and connect pipe 23 to the space 23 thereby opening thespace 23 to the atmosphere.

By a relative movement of the sleeve l1, due to operation, of the lever33, and of the bottle, the cap blank is clamped between the end surfaceof the bottle neck and the member I1. This is the relative position ofthe'parts as seen in Fig. 2. The further movement of the bottle neckinto the bore of the head 2! is against'the pres-' sure of spring l9,and consequently without release of the clamping action of the memberI1. The central portion of the cap blank is moved into the bore of thehead 2 I, while the skirt por- 7 tion 35 of the blank is formed intoloose folds or laps, the folded portions depending around the open endof the bottle in-a more or less loose condition. This is the relation ofthe parts shown in Fig. 3. Lever 33 may be raised to the position showninFig. l at any time after the bottle has risen to its uppermostposition. There will still be pressure of the head of sleeve I1 againstthe bottle as the lever 33 rises a shorter distance than the bottle hasrisen. This pressure helps to eject the bottle after the seal has beencompleted.

The progression of. the end of the bottle through the bore of the head2| causes the inner surface of the flexible fabric or member 22 tofrictionally engage the cap material and force the same downwardly by amore or less frictional rubbing contact therewith and bending the sameover the rounded contour of the bottle neck, while at the same timedrawing the cap material, or the portion thereof which covers the openmouth of the bottle taut. 1 This is the position of the parts asindicated in Fig. 4.

At this point in theoperation pressure medium is admitted to the space23 by opening the pressure control valve 21 (Fig. 5). Wherehot air orsteam is employed as the pressure medium the material composing thebottle cap is desirably heated or softened sufiiciently to permit itsbeing forced into conforming relation with respect to the exteriorsurface of the bottleneck without danger of injury. If the pressuremedium is admitted to the space 23 the flexible member 22 becomesdistended so as to force the skirt portions of the cap into closecontact with the bottle neck and into conforming relation with respect.

to the shape of the bottle neck, thereby accomplishing the eflicientapplication of the cap to the bottle. This is indicated in Fig. 5 of thedrawings.

I At the end of this operationthe supply of pressure medium is cut offby suitably operating the pressure supply valve 21 to permit thepressure medium which has been utilized to extend the member .22 to beexhausted to atmosphere through pipe 28, thereby releasing the flexiblemember 22 from. contact withthe cap or bottle or other surfaceandpermitting the bottle with the cap applied to it to be withdrawn fromthe head 2|. If found desirable, and to insure the removal of theflexible member 22 from liability of contacting with any surface whilethe bottle is, being withdrawn, instead of relying on the exhaust of thepressure medium to atmosphere through pipe 23 the space 23 may beconnected through the connection 25 with the vacuum source (Fig. 6) byopening valve 25 thereby quickly relieving the space 23 of all pressuretending to distend the member 22.

My device may be operated with pressure media other than steam or hotair. For example,

hot water or other hot liquid may be used. This cap is of paraflined orwaxed paper, as a lower temperature is sutlicient for tion in such acase.

A property of the materials used in the preferred' form of my devicethat makes it particularly efllcient in operation is that celluloseacetate, Cellophane, and similar materials will not adhere to rubberunder any circumstances. The bottle is, therefore, always easilyreleased from the head 2|.

vThe head of sleeve I1 is provided with a vent (not shown). Without sucha vent, if there should be some moisture on top of the cap it would turninto steam and blush the cap. With the vent the steam escapes and thecap is not blushed.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide anexceedingly simple and eflicient method of application of a sealing capor top to receptacles and I have also provided an exceedingly simple andeilicient form of apparatus capalble' of use in carrying out myinvention. While I have described a specific form of apparatus forcarrying out the process, and while I have shown the application of theprinciples of my invention to the capping of bottles, it is to beunderstood that I do not limit or confine myself to the use of anyparticular type or structure of mechanism for carrying out my process,nor to any specific detail of mechanical structure, except ashereinafter set forth in the claims. It is equally obvious that theprinciples of my invention are suitable for use in the application ofother types oi structures of caps or closures and to other structures ofreceptacles or containers.

I claim:

1. The method which consists in clamping the center portion of a sealingcap blank of cellulose acetate material over the open end of a containerto be sealed, and preliminarily bending the unclamped portions of thecap blank over the container, and then subjecting the partially appliedcap blank to a heated elastic medium to reduce the material of the bentportion to a molding state and to conform the same to the shape ofsatisfactory operathe container and to'apply the same into sealingrelation with respect thereto. Y

2. The method of capping a receptacle with cellulose acetate material orthe like which consists in raising the receptacle so that the mouththereof contacts with a blank of said material, applying said blank ofmaterial to the receptacle, subjecting the outer peripherial zone of theblank to heat and a resilient pressure by a resilient pressure means towarm said zone to a molding temperature and to seal the same to thereceptacle, then withdrawing the pressure and creating a vacuum behindsaid resilient pressure means, and then lowering the receptacle.

3. The method of making and sealing caps on receptacles which consistsin forming blanks of thin sheets of transparent cellulose material, thencentering the same over the mouth of a receptacle to be capped andsealed, then raising the receptacle up against the blank so that theouter skirt of the blank is preliminarily folded over the crown of thereceptacle, then supplying the blank with radial creases in its outerskirt, then subjecting the folded creased portion of the blank to aresilient heated pressure by a resilient pressure means to reduce thecreased portion to a plastic 5 condition and to seal it to thereceptacle, then withdrawing the pressure and creating a vacuum behindthe resilient pressure means and then lowering the receptacle.

4. The method of making and sealing caps on receptacles which consistsin forming blanks of thin sheets of transparent cellulose acetatematerial, then centering the same over the mouth of the receptacle, thenraising the receptacle so as to contact with said blank and so that theouter skirt of the blank will be preliminarily folded over the mouth ofthe receptacle, then supplying the outer skirt of the blank with radialfolds, then supplying said folded portion of the blank with heat toreduce it to a molding state and at the same time subjecting it to agradually increasing resilient pressure to seal it to the receptacle.

5. In an apparatus for capping and sealing receptacles, means forcutting cap forming blanks from thin sheets of cellulose acetatematerial, means for conveying said blanks and suspending the same abovethe mouth of a receptacle to be capped and sealed, means for raisingsaid receptacle to engage the blank, a head adapted to accommodate theneck of the receptacle, a ring of resilient material secured to saidhead, and adapted topreliminarily engage with the skirt of said blankand to fold it against the neck of the bottle as said bottle is raisedtoengage the blank, means for permitting steam to enter said ring tosoften the material of said skirt to a molding state and to applypressure against said ring to mold said skirt portion of the blanks tothe neck of the bottle, and means for applying 40 a vacuum behind saidring after it has operated to mold said skirt portion of the cap formingblanks to the neck of the bottle.

6. In an apparatus for capping and sealing receptacles, means forcutting cap forming blanks 46 from the sheets of cellulose acetatematerial, means for conveying said blanks and suspending the same abovethe mouth of a receptacle to be capped and sealed, means for raisingsaid receptacle to engage the blank, means to accom- 50 modate the neckof the receptacle as it is raised, said means having a ring of resilientmaterial secured thereto and positioned so as to engage the outer skirtof said blank with the neck of the receptacle, means for permittingheated gas under pressure to enter said ring so as to cause the same tofrictionally engage the outer skirt of said blank to preliminarily pressand fold the same against the receptacle under a heated pressure and tosoften the material of said skirt to a 50 plastic state, and at the sametime to apply a sufficient pressure against the same to mold and seal itto the neck of the receptacle, means for releasing said pressure, andmeans for exhausting said ring after the skirt of said blank has beensealed to the receptacle.

HENRY F. GLUNZ.

